JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Resurrects Count de Hoernle Theatre (The Caldwell) in Boca, Now thru 7/15

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Resurrects the Count de Hoernle Theatre in Boca Raton – tonight, July 5 through July 15. Combined Production of Entr'Acte Theatrix & Palm Beach Principal Players.

"Could We Start Again, Please" is more than just another hit song from the rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, it is also the hope and prayer of Boca-based theatre fans when it comes to the much beloved but recently shuttered Count de Hoernle Theatre (a/k/a "The Caldwell").

In an effort to get the theatre's footlights shining again, two sister theatre companies – Entr'Acte Theatrix and Palm Beach Principal Players – are co-producing JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, which will run for 10 performances at the former Caldwell Theatre, July 5-15. The dynamic rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is a musical interpretation of the final days of Jesus Christ that is not so much a story about religion as it is about the emergence of a charismatic rebel who surfaces among an oppressed people to pacifistically challenge the moral state of existing affairs – all told in the musical vernacular of rock 'n' roll, just like HAIR before it.

"JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is now more relevant than ever, particularly with idealistic young people taking to the streets and challenging the political status quo from Egypt's Tahrir Square to the occupiers of Wall Street's Zuccotti Park," says executive Producer Vicki Halmos. "Plus I can think of nothing more appropriate than a musical about resurrection to re-open this fabulous theater."

The dynamic 25-person cast includes:

John Justice Parker (Jesus), who first performed with Palm Beach Principal Players 10 years ago in The Who's TOMMY at the Carefree Theatre while he was still a student at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, where he received several awards from the Florida State Thespian Competition. Since then, he has concentrated his studies in acting, comedy/improv, Shakespeare, and musical theatre at Palm Beach State College, where he wrote, directed, and acted in independent student films. Mr. Parker also was involved with Last Call and P.A.'s Big Day at the Delray Beach Film Festival.

Anthony Nuccio (Judas) is a graduate of the University of Miami, having earned a BM of Music Education & Theater. A versatile musician who plays piano, guitar and saxophone, Mr. Nuccio's incredible vocal range wows his hard rock fans, but he is equally proficient in opera and jazz. He has appeared in numerous hit shows throughout South Florida and in and around his hometown of Philadelphia, including Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, Reefer Madness, Children of Eden and Pippin.

Val Roche (Mary) is a graduate of the University of Miami's New World School of the Arts, where she received a BM in Musical Theater. Among her many theater credits in the Miami area are Urinetown, The Last Five Years, [Title of Show], and Smokey Joe's Cafe. In addition, she was seen in The House of Bernarda Alba at the Adrienne Arsht Center. A skilled impersonator of Janis Joplin, Cher and Shakira, Ms. Roche is proficient in rock, pop, blues, and musical theater,

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Creative Team:

Roger Blankenship (Musical Director) has a wealth of musical directing experience that spans 30 years. He has served as organist and choir director for a number of places of worship, coaching choirs and vocal performers, and collaborating in music education. He has written and directed musical productions, has grown choirs from a dozen to over one hundred participants, produced holiday pageants, and directed musical theater performances, including numerous theater reviews of his own creation. Over the years, Mr. Blanekship has worked with, and directed, in the musical theater departments at Florida Atlantic University and West Boca High School, and in Washington, D.C. at the Sheridan School, the Columbia Institute of Fine Arts, and the Prince William Center for the Arts. He also has been adjunct professor of music at Florida Atlantic University. His musical theater directing background, in addition to Entr'acte Theatrix, has included the Boca Raton Theater Guild, Infinite Abyss Productions, and many at FAU, among others. Shows that Mr. Blankenship has served as musical director and vocal director include Cabaret, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Company, Carousel, Evita, West Side Story, Oklahoma! and Fiddler on the Roof, as well as Cole Porter and Irving Berlin reviews. In addition, he has traveled with a German Evangelistic Music Team throughout Germany and South Africa, and has traveled and recorded with a Contemporary Christian music group throughout the U.S. Mr. Blankenship has a BA and Masters in Music.

Jessica Kris (Director) is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. During her time in New York, she co-directed NYU's first student run production in a Broadway-sized house, Move Over Mrs. Markham, later she co-directed her first musical, The Cradle Will Rock. She also assisted in the direction of a cabaret at the famed Joe's Pub at The Public Theater. Joe's Pub is the most in-demand showcase stage for live theatrical and musical performances. Ms. Kris has also directed numerous educational projects while at the Tisch school. Her proudest directorial accomplishment thus far is her work collaborating with ENACT, an organization that brings drama therapy techniques into at-risk school across NYC. She filmed and edited their yearly video and worked with students in the schools to create self-made projects around the topic of bullying. Most recently, Ms. Kris co-directed for Entr'acte's production of Godspell last season at The Borland Center for Performing Arts in Palm Beach Gardens.

Samantha Pardes (Choreographer) is a graduate of the dance ensemble at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she studied under Kathleen Klein, noted choreographer and owner of the Demetrius Klein Dance Company. Ms. Pardes was one of 18 dancers selected to train and dance professionally under world-renowned choreographers and instructors at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. While there, she choreographed and performed in Manhattan Theaters such as the 42nd Street Studios. She also participated in elite workshops with choreographers from "So You Think You Can Dance", and with famous artists and pop stars. Samantha's south Florida dance connections include being teacher/choreographer of Contemporary dance at Elite Dance Academy and Destination Dance. As such, she has choreographed various dance productions and student showcases. She has also danced and choreographed for Kathleen Klein for an Emilio Pucci fashion show, the Palm Beach Film Festival, and the Palm Beach Waterfront opening event, among others.

Performance Dates:

This production of the smash hit musical JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will run for 10 performances at the Count de Hoernle Theatre, the former home of the Caldwell Theatre Company,located at 7901 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton:

+ Thursday, July 5 – 8 p.m.

+ Friday, July 6 – 8 p.m.

+ Saturday, July 7 – 2& 8 p.m.

+ Sunday, July 8 – 3 p.m.

+ Thursday, July 12– 8 p.m.

+ Friday, July 13 –8 p.m.

+ Saturday, July 14– 2 & 8 p.m.

+ Sunday, July 15 – 3 p.m.

How to Purchase Tickets:

Tickets are $25 for reserved seating, $15 for groups and children under 12, and $10 student rush (with ID) at the door on day of show. This ticket price is inclusive of all fees. To purchase tickets to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, please call 877.710.7779.

About Entr'Acte Theatrix & Palm Beach Principal Players: Entr'Acte Theatrix is an offshoot of the Palm Beach Principal Players, which started more than a decade ago and targeting high school and college students interested in musical theater but who had limited opportunities to perform. Over the last decade, Principal Players has presented nearly 20 shows featuring hundreds of local young people, many of whom have gone on to professional careers or top educational programs. Because these young but "seasoned" performers still need opportunities to work with top professionals and begin their professional careers with impressive resumes and a network of industry contacts, Entr'Acte Theatrix was formed. The company's goal is to produce shows that will give these talented young people an opportunity to perform in a first class venue and gain professional experience. Entr'Acte Theatrix is a subsidiary of the Peter and Vicki Halmos Family Foundation. For more information, please visit www.entractetheatrix.org.

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